Mandaue bags regional plum for helping coops

CEBU, Philippines -  The Mandaue City government has been awarded for the third successive year as the best local government unit in Central Visayas in terms of support to the cooperative movement.

Norma Panulde, development officer of the Cooperative Development Authority, revealed this during a press conference last Thursday at the mayor's conference room.

Panulde said the city government won the award because through the Mandaue City Cooperative Development Office, it has extended the necessary support to the city's cooperatives.

The city also won the award in 2012 and 2013.

Lawyer Ernesto Maringuran, the City Cooperative Development officer, said with the three consecutive Gawad Parangal awards they have received, they are hoping to bag a slot for a similar search in the coming National Cooperative Summit this October 16-18 at the Waterfront Cebu City Hotel and Casino.

Having won the award in the regionals, Mandaue City is now automatically nominated to the national search. Maringuran said the city has also been accredited to conduct trainings on cooperative development at present.

"Nahimo na tang training provider ron human ta gi-acknowledge sa Cooperative Development Authority," Maringuran said.

According to The Cooperative Learning Centre, cooperatives are autonomous associations formed and democratically directed by people who come together to meet common economic, social and cultural needs.

Founded on the principle of participatory governance, coops are governed by those who use their services: Their members.

Based on the principles of empowerment, education, and community, coops operate laterally promoting participation both within their own organization, and through a focus on community interaction and support.

Councilor Beethoven Andaya, chairman of the Regional Cooperative Development Council, disclosed the important role of cooperatives in helping the people meet their basic needs.

Having recognized this, he said the city allotted P1.5 million to fund a soft loan program to cooperative members at a maximum of P100,000 and zero interest within a span of 12 months.

At present, there are around 25,286 members in 62 different cooperatives in the city.

And because the number of cooperatives in the city is rising, MCCDC Secretary Emy Bustillo said they are contemplating on asking the City Council to infuse an additional fund of P3 million to help other members in the city who are new players in the coop business.

Meanwhile, the City Cooperative Development Office announced the launching of their three programs: "Anak Mo, Lab Ko," which seeks to organize cooperatives with children, 18 years old and below as members; "Asenso Mo, Negosyo Ko," which aims to help a coop start off a business venture; and "Negosyo Ko, Buhay" to help strengthen cooperatives in manufacturing sector by offering training programs.

Lito del Castillo, CEO of Mandaue Market Vendors Multi-Purpose Cooperative and chairman of Mandaue City Cooperative Development Council, also announced the holding of a "Cooperative Run" on October 19, 4:30 a.m. at City Heritage Plaza City Hall grounds.

Aside from the fun run, they will also be conducting a medical mission and feeding program today at the 6.5-hectare relocation site in Barangay Paknaan. (FREEMAN)